Bible Class – Study #20 (Gen 48-50) – Notes and Discussion questions

Genesis Study #20: The final communication of Jacob to his sons

Main passage of study: Gen 48:1 – 50:26

Related passages: Pt

A: Ge 28:3-4; 1Chr 5:1; Col 1:15-18

B: Ge 22:15-16; 31:11; Ex 15:6; Dt 21:17; 33:17; He 11:21

C: Ge 34:30; 35:22; 1Chr 12:14; Ps 60:7; Pro 4:1; Eze 21:27; Jas 1:6-8; Re 5:5

D: Ge 23:20; 46:4

E: Ge 27:41; 42:6; 45:5; Ro 8:28; 12:19

F: Ge 47:30; Ex 4:31; Jos 24:32; He 11:22

Outline & Notes

Outline:

  1. Jacob beckons Joseph & his sons– Gen 48:1-11
    1. Joseph’s apprising of Jacob’s condition – Gen 48:1-2
    2. Jacob’s acknowledging of God’s covenant -Gen 48:3-4
    3. Jacob’s adopting of Joseph’s sons – Gen 48:5-7
    4. Jacob’s acquainting with Joseph’s sons – Gen 48:8-11
  2. Jacob blesses Joseph through his sons– Gen 48:12-22
    1. Joseph’s positioning of his sons – Gen 48:12-14
    2. Jacob’s pronouncement upon the sons – Gen 48:15-16
    3. Joseph’s protest – Gen 48:17-18
    4. Ephraim’s privilege – Gen 48:19-20
    5. Joseph’s portions – Gen 48:21-22
  3. Jacob blesses each of his sons – Gen 49:1-28
    1. Jacob’s final convocation of his sons – Gen 49:1-2
    2. Reuben’s instability – Gen 49:3-4
    3. Simeon & Levi’s impulsivity – Gen 49:5-7
    4. Judah’s instrumentality – Gen 49:8-12
    5. Zebulun’s industry – Gen 49:13
    6. Issachar’s inactivity – Gen 49:Gen 49:14-15
    7. Dan’s furtiveness – Gen 49:16-18
    8. Gad’s fearlessness – Gen 49:19
    9. Asher’s fatness – Gen 49:20
    10. Naphtali’s fleetness – Gen 49:21
    11. Joseph’s fruitfulness – Gen 49:22-26
    12. Benjamin’s fierceness – Gen 49:27
    13. Jacob’s faithful communication to his sons – Gen 49:28
  1. Jacob’s burial by his sons– Gen 49:29-50:14
    1. Jacob’s bidding – Gen 49:29-33
    2. Jacob’s bereavement – Gen 50:1-3
    3. Jacob’s burial – Gen 50:4-14
  2. The cause of Joseph’s tears– Gen 50:15-21
    1. The brothers’ fears – Gen 50:15
    2. The brothers’ fabrication – Gen 50:16-18
    3. Joseph’s forgiveness – Gen 50:19-21
  3. The conclusion of Joseph’s years– Gen 50:22-26
    1. Joseph’s longevity – Gen 50:22-23
    2. Joseph’s legacy – Gen 50:24-26

As we come to the close of the book of Genesis, the Spirit of God seems to
emphasize what faithful saints can pass on to subsequent generations at the
end of their lives. As Jacob comes to the end of his 147 years, he spends
some last precious moments with his beloved Joseph and his sons, adopting
them and bestowing on them the blessing of the firstborn’s double portion.
He is used of God to pass along important personal and prophetic messages
to each of his sons which demonstrate Jacob’s close connection with his God
and His purposes even in his final hours. The book of beginnings which in
only its 3rd chapter of 50, outlines the entrance of sin into the world,
closes with the unmistakable stamp of death upon its concluding verses.
But this opening book of our Bible has also laid the foundation for the
story of redemption that God Himself will bring about as the Lord Jesus
Christ will ultimately accomplish so much more than just the restoration of
what was lost in Adam.

Textual notes

● The right hand is the hand of power and authority in Scripture.
It was apparently the custom for a dying patriarch to lay his right hand
upon the firstborn when giving the blessing.

● We have seen previously in Genesis the appearance (or voice) of an
angel in the narrative which most conservative commentators would suggest
is a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ. In Ge 48:15-16, Jacob seems to
equate ‘the Angel who has redeemed me’ with ‘the God who has
fed me’.

● The preference of the younger Ephraim over Manasseh, the firstborn
continues a pattern that we have seen throughout the book of Genesis: ex.
Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Judah (and Joseph) over Reuben,
Simeon, Levi.

● The double portion of inheritance given to Joseph in his two sons,
and their adoption by Jacob means that there were in fact 13 tribes of
Israel in the land. However, as Levi was designated as the priestly tribe,
they were not given their own territory or inheritance in the land and the
tribes of Israel are always referred to in Scripture as 12 tribes.

● The passage in Ge 49:2-27 where Jacob blesses his sons is written
in Hebrew poetry and as such, has many words and phrases that are difficult
to translate with certainty. There is nothing though that should cause
concern over essential Biblical doctrine.

Discussion questions

1. Before Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, he recounts the promises that God
made to him. Why is it important to remember God’s past faithfulness when
looking for future blessing?

2. The name Israel is used 6 times for Jacob the man in chapter 48 (and
once of the nation) while Jacob is only used twice. Why is this
appropriate here at the end of Jacob’s life?

3. By adopting Joseph’s sons and blessing them, Jacob gives them an
identity as tribes among God’s chosen people. What can we learn about the
importance of our identity as children of God?

4. Jacob has both positive and negative things to say to his sons in Ge 49. How can we practice honest but loving communication to those over whom
we might have a spiritual influence?

5. Judah is the tribe from which the Messiah would come. Which details of
Jacob’s blessing to Judah can we link to the person and work of the Lord
Jesus?

6. Joseph is described by Jacob as being fruitful in spite of trials and
hardship. How did he (and how can we) remain spiritually fruitful through
difficult seasons?

7. Jacob gives no instructions about his earthly goods on his death bed but
he is insistent about his final resting place. What should we emphasize in
our final wishes to our loved ones?

8. It is remarkable to see the genuine outpouring of grief from the
Egyptians who likely didn’t know Jacob well but who it seems felt grief for
Joseph’s sake. How can we support one another through times of
bereavement?

9. We have read of numerous deaths throughout the book of Genesis and of
the responses of those who lost loved ones. What is the role of mourning
in our lives and how should a believer respond to the death of a loved one?

10. Joseph’s brothers obviously still felt guilt over their sins against
him and felt the need to ask him for forgiveness. What should the
believer’s attitude be toward his/her sins?

11. There is often much outrage expressed by individuals in our modern
society over wrongs (perceived and/or real) committed even against others.
What does Joseph’s attitude around the wrongs committed against him teach
us about how we should respond to evils perpetrated even against others?

12. We might compare the dying requests of Jacob and Joseph as both are
only commended in Heb 11 for faithful acts done before they died. What does
this tell us about how the Lord wants us to end our lives on earth?